Understanding Knee Replacement Surgery for the Elderly

Knee surgery can be needed by anyone but it issurgeon.
more often perform in older people than youngerRecovery after Knee Replacement Surgery
people. There are many reasons for one to go forPatients usually stay in the hospital for between 3
knee surgery, such as sport injuries, arthritis and painand 5 days after the surgery. During the stay, they
associated with cartilage deterioration and thewill start their rehabilitation program immediately. A
wearing out of bones.physical therapist will start working on the mobility
When to Consider Knee Replacement Surgerywith the patient, while the occupational therapist will
Knee surgery can be prevented sometimes andassist the patient on preparing for usual daily activities
these methods should be explored first. Losingsuch as dressing and washing.
weight, medication, surgery or physical therapy canAll patients won’t recover at the same rate as
sometimes solve certain knee problems.  If none ofcertain factors would have an influence.  Strength,
these worked, knee replacement might be your onlybody weight and pain tolerance level of an individual
option. The healthier you are, the less risks there isall make a difference to the speed of the recovery.
and recovery would be sooner. People with diabetesIf the doctor is not satisfied with the rate of
or high blood pressure can still go for a kneerecovery in the hospital, patients might still be able to
replacement surgery as long as their illness is underreturn home after about 5 days and it can be
control.arranged for a therapist to assist them with further
What is Knee Replacement?sessions at home.
Knee replacement can be done partially or as totalSome patients might need to get extra help at home
knee replacement. During knee replacement surgery,during the first few weeks.  This doesn’t have
the damaged joints get replaced with plastic or metalto be done by a trained caregiver, but anyone that
components, shaped to allow better motion in thecan assist with meals or helping the person to get
knee. The operation will last around two hours fordressed and occasionally go out.
different types of knee replacement surgery. TheTo walk unassisted again will take up to six weeks in
minimal invasive procedures require shorter incisionscertain instances.  After two to four weeks the
and thus less scaring. The process is very technicalpatient might be able to use a cane or walker.
and should only be performed by a highly skilled